The Hawks have arrested a man believed to be part of a criminal syndicate behind a string of high-value coltan scams across Gauteng, reports The Star.

Columbite-tantalite, known as coltan for short, is a dull black metallic ore abundant in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Tantalum, from coltan, is used to manufacture capacitors, which are used for mobile phones, computers, automotive electronics and cameras, among other gadgets.

Bovic Tshibangu appeared briefly in the Alexandra Magistrate’s Court, facing a fraud charge following his arrest on 5 October in Johannesburg.

Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Thatohatsi Mavimbela said Tshibangu allegedly posed as a mining executive to defraud a woman of more than R1m in a fake coltan deal.

The Hawks allege that Tshibangu met the complainant in August 2023 at a Johannesburg mall and introduced himself as ‘Mike’.

He claimed to work for a mining company called IRWD, started dating her and convinced her to fund the purchase of a chemical purportedly needed to process the mineral.

Mike borrowed R290 000 from her to purchase the chemical and he continued to borrow money until it amounted to R1m.

Further investigations linked Tshibangu to another R2m fraud case, in which five suspects – including his wife Rejoyce Keseke, Lindiwe Makelele, Zingah Mpoyi, Sylvano Kayembe, and Lars Niehaus – have already been arrested on charges of theft, fraud, and money laundering.

That case is currently before the courts.

Both of Tshibangu’s cases have been postponed for bail applications.

Full report in The Star